People living with disabilities were told that they had the right to be treated with respect, live in a clean, safe place and to live without bullying or abuse.
Mr Rhulani Chauke, a social worker in the department of social development's Malamulele office, was the speaker during an event at the Quick Save Hall in Malamulele last Thursday, during the celebration ceremony of people living with disabilities, the Nsovo Disabled People Project.
Nsovo, a Tsonga word meaning grace or mercy, was started in 2004 to address the needs and services of people of living with disabilities. The project manager, Ms Hlekani Khosa, said the project was started when she realised that there was no centre catering for the needs of disabled people in and around Xitlhelani village.
"We used to see the people living with disabilities suffering, without knowing their rights and who was supposed to take care of them. We were four members when we started the project, but things changed for the better when an Indian businessman donated a place to use, free of charge," said Khosa.
According to Khosa, the centre is taking care of 46 people living with disabilities, some who are mentally ill and partially sighted. She said they were also showing parents that they must not abandon people living with disabilities as they needed care and support. "We are also grateful to receive some learning materials for learners with severe to profound and intellectual disabilities (LSPID) from the provincial department of education. We hope learning and teaching will change our disabled people in the centre for the better, with the department of education's support," added Khosa.
One of the main sponsors of the Nsovo Disabled People's Project, Mr Vaheed Patel, said part of giving to the needy to him was his religion, which taught them to give as much they could to needy people.